Produce package

ABSTRACT

A SHEETLIKE SUPPORT MEMBER INCLUDES THE PRODUCE ITEMS INEGRALLY RELATED INTO A PACKAGE IN ABUTTING RELATION AGAINST THE MAJOR SURFACES OF THE SUPPORT MEMBER BY AN OVERWRAP. LIFE SUSTAINING MATERIALS ARE INCORPORATED WITHIN THE SUPPORT MEMBER STRUCTURE. THE SUPPORT MEMBERS CAN BE OPTIONALLY FALT SHEET, H-SHAPED OR U-SHAPED, AND THE PACKAGES BEING STACKED TO REST ON A SUPPORT MEMBER EDGE. A FURTHER ASPECT INCLUDES INCORPORATING A PLURALITY OF SUCH PACKAGES WITHIN A SINGLE OVERWRAP DURING SHIPMENT OR STORAGE.

D. G. WOLF PRODUCE PACKAGE Sept. 25, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct.25, 1970 INVENTOR DON/4A0 6. W0F

D. G. WOLF PRODUCE PACKAGE Sept. 25, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct.23, 1970 INVENTOR Dav/440 6.14/00C svzMoe/ajaoaeavfmeea froe/veys UnitedStates Patent O 3,761,289 PRODUCE PACKAGE Donald G. Wolf, Salinas,Calif., assignor to Inter Harvest, Inc., Salinas, Calif. Filed Oct. 23,1970, Ser. No. 83,539 Int. Cl. B65b 25/04 US. Cl. 99171 CA 6 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A sheetlike support member includes theproduce items integrally related into a package in abutting relationagainst the major surfaces of the support member by an overwrap. Lifesustaining materials are incorporated within the support memberstructure. The support members can be optionally flat sheet, H-shaped orU-shaped, and the packages being stacked to rest on a support memberedge. A further aspect includes incorporating a plurality of suchpackages within a single overwrap during shipment or storage.

The present invention relates generally to the packaging of produce,and, more particularly, to a packaging technique for head lettuce,celery or the like which includes life sustaining ingredientsincorporated within the packaging structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Packages for produce such as head lettuce orthe like have conventionally consisted of corrugated cartons in whichthe lettuce heads are packed in two or three layers with no verticalstructural support between the product. In such packages, the outerWalls provide all the structural top to bottom support for the product.Due to high humidity conditions in refrigerated shipment or storage,these outer walls tend to absorb moisture which causes them to beweakened and sometimes to collapse, leaving all the Weight from thepackages above resting directly on the produce item contained within.

A number of different approaches have been used in the past forprolonging the life of produce during shipment and storage, such as, forexample, providing a pecial preservative atmosphere for the room,chamber or trailer, including the lettuce packages. Also, maintaining ofthe produce at a lower temperature during shipment and storage is arelatively standard technique and is beneficial. Still further, producehas been treated by special preservative chemicals prior to packaging,or sometimes the chemicals have been loosely arranged within thepackage. All in all, the past known techniques for using preservativechemicals have not been completely satisfactory.

In the case of providing a gaseous environment, a trailer, freight caror room which is to include the produce must be specially adapted tomake it air-tight, then purged of air and furnished with thepreservative gas or gases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION By the practice of one form of the invention, aplurality of heads of lettuce are arranged in a layer on each side of asheetlike support member with the entire assembly enclosed within aplastic shrink-wrap, paper or fiberboard overwrap, or combination ofthese materials, to form an integral package. The support member extendson all sides beyond the outermost reaches of the lettuce heads toprovide a mounting or supporting marginal edge. A plurality of suchpackages or package modules may be stacked onto one another in such apattern that the support members of the upper layers are arrangedtransversely of the support members of the lower layers. That is, aplurality of packages made in this manner can be stacked on one anotherby merely placing each of the packages with the corrugated support boardarranged vertically and the support board edge margin of each packageresting on that of the package immediately below.

A further aspect of the invention is that of incorporating preservativechemicals within the support members. In particular, it is contemplatedthat a material that absorbs carbon dioxide be disposed within spacessuch as the corrugations in support members made of corrugatedcardboard, for example, such that the carbon dioxide developed within apackage by respiration of the produce will be absorbed and deteriorationfrom this source obviated. Also, soluble nutrient layers are provided onthe support members external surfaces and which contact the lettucebutts during packaging for low level feeding while in the package.

A variation of the package module of this invention involves providing apair of end support members which would be an extension of the supportmember positioned across or transversely of the end of the main centralsupport forming an overall H support structure, with the entire assemblybeing enclosed by a plastic sheet, paper, fiberboard or combination ofthese materials as in the first embodiment.

A still further form of the invention concerns shaping an elongatedcorrugated sheet into substantially U-form of such dimensions as topermit receipt of several rows of lettuce heads arranged in a singlelayer therein. The arm portions of the U-shaped support sheet can extendslightly beyond the lettuce heads. A plurality of such U-shaped supportmembers with lettuce heads contained therein can be stacked together inedge contacting relation and collectively enclosed within a plastic bagor sheath.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form ofpackage or package module of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged, sectional view of a corrugated support foruse in the present invention, with enclosed preservative material.

FIG. 3 depicts an integral package unit constructed of a plurality ofpackage modules of the form shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a further form of the module package of this invention, usingan H-shaped support.

FIG. 5 is a still further form of the invention including a U-shapedcorrugated support member.

FIG. 6 depicts a multiple layer stacking arrangement of package modulesof this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With' reference now particularlyto FIG. 1, a packaging arrangement of the present invention, identifiedgenerally as at 10, is seen to include a generally rectangular sheetlikemember 11 having a pair of major surface areas and a peripheral edge andconstructed of a corrugated or other rigid material on each side ofwhich there are arranged a plurality of heads of lettuce. Moreparticularly, the lettuce heads are arranged as a single layer on eitherside of the support member 11 such that the member edge margins extendto or slightly beyond the lettuce throughout its complete periphery.With the lettuce heads so related to the member 11, an overwrap 12 ofplastic, paper, fiberboard, foam plastic, or the like tightly enclosesthe entire assembly of lettuce heads and member 11 in a pressureexerting relationship to form an integral package or package module. Theplastic sheeting may be applied by a technique known as shrink fitting,for example.

With specific reference to FIG. 2, it is seen that in the case of acorrugated member 11, the spaces or flutes are provided with a supply ofa solid or pulverulent material 13. For lettuce, the material 13 is onechosen for its ability to absorb carbon dioxide which is produced bylettuce respiration and if allowed to accumulate about the lettuce intoo high a concentration will cause so-called russet spotting andotherwise harm the lettuce. A satisfactory material for this purpose ishydrated lime, which can either be incorporated into the corrugatedmaterial at the time of its manufacture or be added at a later time. Theedges of the member are sealed with an adhesively coated tape 14 tocontain the preservative material.

Although absorption of carbon dioxide can be accomplished directlythrough the sidewall of the support 11, where it is constructed of amaterial such as cardboard, it may be advisable, when the member is madeof a plastic or impregnated fiberboard, for example, to perforate thesidewall at several places to facilitate such absorption.

In a further aspect of the invention, the outer surfaces of the supportmember sidewalls are coated with a soluble nutrient layer 15 includingmaterials for enhancing plant growth such as sugar and various othertrace elements and compounds. The lettuce is packaged in such mannerthat the lettuce butts are held in contact with nutrient layer 15whereby fluid exuded at the lettuce butt dissolves the nutrientmaterials, permitting their ready absorption and utilization by thelettuce.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a plurality of the module lettuce package units10, either during storage or shipment, are stacked onto one another,with the support members serving as the primary load-bearing elements.That is, a lower layer of such modular packages are arranged with themembers 11 of each in an upstanding or vertical position in apredetermined pattern configuration and the next and succeeding layersrest on the upper edges of those members below. In this manner none ofthe lettuce heads are subjected to direct pressure of the packagesabove, other than that produced by an adjacent module package leaningagainst it. By this technique a relatively large number of lettuce headscan be efficiently stacked for storage or shipment in a relatively smallspace with the primary supporting and protective means being a simplerigid sheetlike member.

Furthermore in this arrangement, the plurality of such module packages10 is enclosed within a single common restraining structure such as aplastic bag or sheet 16 during shipment or storage. Optionally, therestraining structure may be webbing, netting, strapping or other bulkcontainer.

It is important to note that when the rigid support members 11 areconstructed of corrugated cardboard, fiberboard or plastic, thecorrugations long dimension should extend vertically with respect to thedesired stacking position for a package 10 in order to achieve theoptimum supporting strength. That is, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, thesupports 11 of the various package modules are all arranged with thecorrugation flutes extending parallel to the support direction which isthe strongest support mode for such a member.

FIG. 4 depicts a modified form of the invention in which a plurality oflettuce heads are arranged in single layers on each side of a centralgenerally rectangular rigid support sheet 17 of similar construction tosupport 11. In addition, two end support members 18 and 19, which are anextension of the central support member, are arranged to form agenerally H-shaped configuration. The entire assembly is enclosed withina plastic sheet, bag or other overwrap.

A still further form of the invention is that shown in FIG. 5, whereeach of the containing support means 21 for a module package isgenerally U-shaped. Thus, each such support means consists of a rigidsupport member folded to have a relatively elongated cross or baseportion 22 and two end portions 23 and 24 extending therefrom, formingthe U-shaped structure. As before, the lettuce heads are arranged in asingle layer within the support 21, resting with the butts contactingthe base portion 22 and the assembly enclosed within a plastic bag orother overwrap 25. When a Corrugated support is used, the

corrugations extend parallel to the plane of the lettuce layer andnormal to the open ends of the support, thereby providing the maximumamount of stiffness or support strength for stacking the packages in themanner shown. A plurality of such module packages can be stackedtogether and enclosed within a single plastic bag 26.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a three-layered stackingarrangement, each layer including five package modules 10. Thus, thelowest layer, layer 1, comprises three parallel, spaced modules 27-29,with two modules 30 and 31 located outwardly of the ends of the modules27-29 and oriented at -degrees thereto. Layer 2, is a mirror arrangementof layer 1, with the lower edges of modules 27'29' disposed transverselyof modules 30, 31, and resting on their upper edges. Modules 30' and 31'similarly rest on 27 and 29. Layer 3, is identically arranged to layer 1and rests on the upper edges of 27'31' as shown. Although other modulestacking configurations can be devised, depending upon the geometry ofthe available stacking space, in all cases it is essential that themodules rest on their lower support member edges, either directly on thestorage chamber floor or on the upper support member edges of the nextlower layer of package modules.

Although the support members 11 of this invention have been particularlydescribed herein as having a corrugated construction, such as corrugatedcardboard for example, it is contemplated that a number of otherconstructions would be satisfactory for this purpose. Fiberboardpossesses the sufficient strength for package edge supporting in themanner described. Also, corrugated metal sheets or foam plastic sheetsmay be used where the preservative materials are included in thecorrugation spaces or porous vacuoles, as the case may be.

What is claimed is:

1. A package construction for containing a plurality of produce units,comprising:

a rigid platelike support member having two major surface areas and aperipheral edge margin;

said plurality of produce units being arranged in contacting relationwith each major surface area of the support member inwardly of themember edge margins; and

a one-piece flexible sheet completely enclosing and in pressure exertingrelation with the produce units and support member to secure the same inan integral package module, said support member having a stiffness orstrength in a direction from one edge to an opposite edge of saidsupport member suflicient to enable resting and stacking on said one oropposite edge of said support member.

2. A package construction as in claim 1, in which a. mass of solublenutrients are provided on the support member major surface areas forfeeding of the produce units.

3. A package construction as in claim 1, in which a plurality of saidpackage modules are arranged with their respective support memberssubstantially vertically, certain of said modules having their supportmember lower edges resting on the support member upper edges of certainother modules.

4. A package construction as in claim 1, in which the support membercomprises a pair of platelike end supports arranged, respectively,transversely of and in contact with opposite sides of the supportmembers and disposed within said flexible sheet enclosure in an overallH-shape configuration.

5. A package construction as in claim 1, in which the support membercarries gas absorption materials for absorbing certain gases generatedby produce respiration.

6. A package construction as in claim 5, in which the support memberincludes a generally rectangular corrugated sheet, the corrugationflutes of which contain a supply of said gas absorbing materials.

(References on following page) 5 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTSLinville 99-171 R Snyder 99-171CAUX 5 Haslacher 99- 171 R Fischer 99-171CA X Preble 99-154 Royce 229-42 Benoit 229-42 10 Houston 229-42 X Maddenet a1. 206-46 FCX Kuchenbecker 229-42UX Stevens 99-171 CA X Blake et a1.

6 9/ 1966 Krzyanowski 206-4533 X FOREIGN PATENTS 7,410 2/1912 England -199-171 CA OTHER REFERENCES Fruit & Vegetable Review, August 1956, pp. 21and 24. Modern Packaging, October 1958, p. 127.

FRANK W. LITTER, Primary Examiner S. L. WEINSTEIN, Assistant ExaminerUS. Cl. X.R.

99-154, 171 LP; 206-65 S, 46 F, 46 PV; 229-Dig. 12

